Yours Only, Albert

Chapter 2

Sam woke to a heavy head and sore body, and she looked around the seemingly empty room. It was different somehow, she noticed; different than what she was used to waking up to. The curtains weren't billowing because the windows remained shut, which was weird because everytime she turns the AC off, she opens her bedroom windows so that the freshness of the morning air may surround her. And then it dawned on her that she went home with somebody the night before. She sat abruptly, and when the sheets fell and revealed her nakedness, she clutched them to her chest as if her life depended on it. Her heart dropped. Had she been used just like that? God, she was stupid! There is a reason why parents warn their daughters about boys and booze, and it is because alcohol dulls the senses. Sam knew that it was her fault too, after all, it takes two to tango. It already happened, so it did not matter that if she had been sober, she would not sleep with a stranger. A handsome stranger, but a stranger nonetheless. In her inebriation, she let Albert use her like a common slattern. Although she could not deny that a small part of her heart says that if he had stayed then maybe, maybe it was meant to be. But he left. Unbidden tears fell from her eyes. She should never have gone out of the house! She should never have trusted that Albert! She should never have come with him! Dressed appropriately, Sam walked out of the hotel without looking back.

If I look back, I am lost.

A pity that in her angst, she failed to see the piece of paper attached to her folded clothes, which fell when she carelessly put her shirt on.

2 Months Later

"Oh God, not again." Jean, in her haste, grabbed anything she could use as something to contain the sickness of her friend.

Sam retched the contents of her stomach for the third time that day, and when she realized where she had retched, she looked pointedly at her friend. "Next time you feel like I'm going to vomit, grab my bowl of cookies, will you? Because really, that's where I want to retch in." Realizing that the world was not as she imagined, sarcasm and caution never left her person. Once bitten, twice shy.

Jean replied, "Sorry, I panicked."

Sam sighed. Her stomach bug settled in last week, and she didn't know why it hadn't gone yet. She ran a hand over her favorite Nike backpack, and lamented the fact that it was suddenly filled with her sickness. In truth, she was feeling anxious of her upset stomach because as a girl, she was prone to having diseases related to the stomach, which could get absolutely worse if not treated accordingly. May it be gastritis or dyspepsia, she's had enough. "I think I have to see a doctor. Like now."

"I guess I'll have to drive you to the store because you're too sick to drive yourself."

Sam smiled, "Thank you, you're a good friend. I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't stuck with me through the years."

Jean failed at stifling her guffaw. "Why so emotional, S? If I didn't know any better I'd think you were pregnant. With the mood swings and all, you're worse than someone having their monthlies." With that, Jean sauntered towards the hallway, leaving Sam gaping after her like a fish out of water.

"Oh, God," Sam started. "It can't be! Please, God...no."

The whole car ride, Sam was in a daze. She was quiet while staring out the window, and her shoulders were slouched, as if the she was carrying the weight of the world. Jean was starting to get really worried. She knew that the stomach thing started last week, so it might really be serious. "Please stop in front of the drugstore, Jean." Jean looked at Sam to see her still looking forlorn, so she stopped the car in front of the store, and hoped that the pity she felt for her friend did not show on her face. If there's one thing Sam loathed, it was other people pitying her. She made to grab at her seat belt, but Sam asked her to stay in the car. Jean watched as Sam got out of the car and walked towards the drugstore. "What is going on?" Jean wondered.